Crash Barrier Systems Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type (Fixed and Portable), By Technology (Rigid, Semi-Rigid, and Flexible), By Application (Work Zone Barriers, Roadside Barriers, Median Barriers, Bridge Barriers, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2022-2029

The global crash barrier systems market size was valued at USD 6.79 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow from USD 7.01 billion in 2022 to USD 9.35 billion by 2029, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period. The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with crash barrier systems experiencing lower-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. Based on our analysis, the global crash barrier system market exhibited a decline of 3.0% in 2020 as compared to 2019.

A crash barrier system consists of longitudinal steel bars in the shape of W being overlapped, joined with vertical support beams that are permanently fixed on the roadside, side rails of bridges or passageways, and tunnels. The barrier system is made from steel specifically designed for safe, fast, and higher visibility to prepare for unforeseen accidents. The rising demand for the product from several applications such as guardrails, median, bridge, and work zone barriers is attributable to the market growth. These crash barriers are easy to manufacture and offer excellent protection from severe damage, thereby driving the implementation of crash barriers on roadways, bridges, bike lanes, terrain, desert roads, and highways.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Disruptions Caused as a Result of COVID-19 Lockdown Impacted Product Demand

The pandemic severely affected product demand as the market is significantly dependent on improving road safety regulations and preventing road accidents. The global lockdown due to the pandemic adversely affected the number of drivers on the road, thereby affecting market growth. Further, the abrupt termination of infrastructure development and construction activities slowed raw material production while disrupting the supply chain and leading to a sub-contractor shortage.

Governments of various countries are attempting to re-establish economies with support from the growing construction and automotive industries. These initiatives started the construction activities, which surged the use of equipment such as trucks, cranes, and excavators prone to accidents, thereby driving product consumption.

LATEST TRENDS

Increasing Demand from Growing Economies to Boost the Market

Crash barrier systems adoption is predicted to rise during the forecast period due to rising demand from growing economies, including India, China, Brazil, Argentina, and Middle Eastern and African countries. These developing economies are adopting strategies to provide guaranteed safety and quality of road infrastructure through good design, build, and maintenance of roads and safety audits. These barriers ensure the safety of occupants while also maintaining the aspects of road and highway systems, thereby leading to product consumption.

According to the Asia Pacific Road Safety Observatory (APRSO), by 2030, the organization will provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all by improving road safety. This will include the implementation of road safety rules & regulations along with the installation of the barrier systems.

The rising application of the product from several developing countries for applications in highways, flyovers, bridges, high embankments, airports, and railway stations is creating growth opportunities for the market.

DRIVING FACTORS

Growing Construction and Automotive Industries are Surging the Demand for Crash Barrier Systems

The crash barrier systems market size is driven by the rising automotive and construction industries. This growth is attributed to the increasing automobile sales due to rising consumer purchasing power in developed and developing countries. This, along with swift urbanization surged the construction of paved roads and highways, thereby driving crash barrier systems market growth. Further, growing commercialization is also surging product demand as the commercial sector led to the construction of parking spaces and parking lots, which are also prone to accidents due to blind turns, low visibility, vehicle malfunction, or rash driving. Installation of crash barrier system in these structures reduces the accidental rate.

Moreover, developing countries are strengthening national road safety legislation and establishing regional instruments and regulations to achieve greater consistency in road safety. This will support the effective implementation of relevant international legal instruments at the national and sub-regional levels, including the installation of a proper crash barrier system.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Price Volatility of Raw Material Prices to Hamper the Market Growth

The key restraint for the market is price volatility of raw materials. The materials used to produce crash barrier systems are metal and rubber products such as steel, aluminum, and rubber. The prices of these materials are highly volatile, making it difficult to acquire at a constant price. This leads to high raw material procurement costs, which inevitably increase the total cost of the finished product, leaving producers with limited opportunities for profit margin. Also, accidents caused when vehicles collide with guardrails and median and roadside barriers are highly severe. These products also cause a high fatality rate of accidents as rigid barriers are less effective in absorbing impact. The structure's rigid nature severely damages the automobile, causing the consumer to pay a hefty amount for repair. Therefore, the concerns above are anticipated to cause hindrance to the market growth, limiting the adoption rate of the crash barrier system.

SEGMENTATION

By Type Analysis

Fixed Segment to Account for Prime Share Due to Increased Road Safety Regulations

Based on type, the market is segmented into fixed and portable.

The fixed segment accounted for the largest share of the global market in 2021 and is also projected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period. Fixed crash barriers act as safety barriers to protect vehicles from crashing and collapsing over the side of the road or in a valley. Fixed crash barriers are primarily installed on roadside highways, mountainous roads, hilly roads, and roadways beside water bodies. The rise in globalization in the previous year has advanced the land transportation system, thereby driving the market.

The market growth of portable crash barriers can be attributed to recent technological progress in various industrial fields. These have led to the development of portable crash barriers that are used temporarily during construction work or in need of diversion from mainstream roadways. Growing construction activities and new road construction projects have surged the demand for portable barrier systems.

By Technology Analysis

Rigid Segment to Grow at Faster CAGR Owing to Rising Investment in Infrastructure

Based on technology, the market is categorized into rigid, semi-rigid, and flexible.

The rigid segment accounted for the largest share in the market and is expected to remain dominant in the forecast period. Rigid barriers are described by their limited dynamic deflection during an impact, and kinetic energy is contained within the impacting vehicle. These barriers are made from concrete, steel, or a combination of both and have limited movement, yield, or deformation during impacts. The growing rate of accidents has swelled the demand for rigid crash barriers. 

Steel W-beam safety barriers are categorized as semi-rigid and are made of steel rails mounted on posts designed to break when a vehicle strikes. Also, guardrail crash barriers provide semi-rigid protection that shields the motorists from any threats close to the edge of the road. The growing urbanization has propelled the construction industry, surging the demand for long-lasting roads and superior safety for vehicle drivers.

The flexible segment includes wire rope safety barriers that are flexible and supported by the posts specifically designed to break when struck by a vehicle. The rail itself is extremely strong. The posts are attached to a flimsy wire, allowing it to move, flex or even break free in a collision, thereby cushioning the vehicle.

By Application Analysis

Roadside Barriers Segment Held Dominating Share Due to Rising Safety Concerns

Based on application, the market is categorized into work zone barriers, roadside barriers, median barriers, bridge barriers, and others.

The roadside barriers segment accounted for the largest share of the market in 2021. Roadside barriers are rigid barriers made from steel, concrete, or a combination. They are installed onto highway structures such as bridges, retaining walls, or building facilities. The primary function is to restrain an errant vehicle from falling off the structures and reduce crash severity.

Median barriers are longitudinal barriers that separate the opposing traffic on a divided highway and are designed to redirect automobiles from striking the side of the barrier. Median barriers significantly reduce the number of cross-median crashes due to relatively high speeds on divided highways and expressways. Work zone barriers are measures between workers and motorized traffic to contain or redirect vehicles. These barriers may include a highly mobile barrier, temporary steel barrier, and movable concrete barrier to avoid work-zone traffic accidents, including full road closure. These barriers enable proper management to accelerate the highway projects and physically separate the moving traffic and workers, thereby minimizing work zone footprints and providing practical, cost-effective work zone safety.

The bridge barriers segment includes barriers of a significant height to prevent vehicle crashes over the bridge. The barrier runs along the edge of a bridge to enhance safety with the lower portion of a concrete and steel bridge barrier made of solid concrete with a steel tubular railing secured on top. The others segment includes the use of barrier systems on parking spaces, airports, and piers & docks to prevent vehicles, airplanes, and boats from crashing. Globalization has surged the construction of airports and marine ports, thereby uplifting the demand for crash barrier systems.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

Europe held a dominant crash barrier systems market share and was estimated to have a value of USD 2.23 billion in 2021. Europe's market growth is due to the rising trend of technologically advanced buildings. In addition, steps taken by the European Union (EU) to increase the use of advanced materials to ensure the structural safety of the buildings will further drive the market.   

The rising demand for crash barriers in the Asia Pacific region is attributed to several construction projects carried out in developing countries, including India and China. The huge population in these countries has resulted in the growing construction of roads, bridges, and highways that require high-end safety and security of drivers, thereby driving the use of the crash barriers to prevent severe accidents in hilly terrain, desert areas, and waterways.

Market growth in North America can be attributed to the leading construction industry globally, owing to technological advancements and development of construction methods. Further, growing conflicts between citizens and the government have increased rallies and protests on the road. This has led to portable barriers to prevent vehicles from crashing with the protestors.  

Latin America will witness gradual growth over the forecast period. The investments made by associations, incentives, and policies developed by the governments of individual countries support the construction and automotive industries in these countries. The growing demand for personal automobiles and public parking spaces supported by the rising urbanization will drive the market in these countries during the forecast period.  

In the Middle East & Africa, the market growth can be attributed to the rising construction industry due to swift urbanization. Also, foreign companies are investing large sums, resulting in commercial sector growth, which, in turn, leads to high demand for paved roads to help connect the growing cities. This ever-increasing construction industry supported by the rapidly inclining economy of South Africa is surging product consumption.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Acquisition Projects and New Product Development by Players to Intensify Competition

Tata Steel, Lindsay Corporation, Transpo Industries Inc., Hill and Smith, RoadSafe Traffic Systems, Inc., and others are the key companies in the market. The major companies profiled have adopted acquisition, product innovation, and collaboration strategies to attain a competitive edge. For example, Hill and Smith designs, produces, and distributes temporary work zone protection, permanent road safety barriers, and technology-supported road message signs. The company is expanding in the niche market, which would help to provide significant value to customers in critical applications, preferably in markets with high barriers to entry, including regulations.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Tata Steel (India)


• Lindsay Corporation. (U.S.)


• Transpo Industries Inc. (U.S.)


• Hill and Smith (UK)


• RoadSafe Traffic Systems, Inc. (U.S.)


• Trinity Highway Products, LLC. (U.S.)


• Valmont Industries (U.S.)


• Pinax Steel Industries (India)


• Volkmann & Rossbach GmbH & Co. KG (Germany)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• June 2021: Trinity Highway Products, LLC signed an agreement with Highway Care Ltd. to produce, sell, and rent the MASH-tested HighwayGuard Barrier in North America. With this partnership, Trinity Highway broadened its commitment to offer innovative roadway solutions of HighwayGuard to Mexico, the U.S., and Canada.


• August 2019: Lindsay Corporation launched ABSORB-M, a new, non-redirective, water-filled crash cushion system. The product is suited for unanchored and anchored barriers. With this launch, the company would expand its product line.

REPORT COVERAGE

The market research report covers detailed market analysis and concentrates on crucial aspects such as competitive landscape, type, technology, and applications. Also, the market report offers insights into market trends and highlights vital industry developments. In addition to the factors mentioned above, the report encompasses various factors that have contributed to the growth of the market in recent years.

Report Scope & Segmentation